Expansible pipe holder



Sept. 20, 1932. STOVALL EXPANSIBLE PIPE HOLDER Filed May 25, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheei Sept. 20, 1932. F. STOVALL EXPANSIBLE PIPE HOLDER Filed May 25, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 20, 1932 FRED STOVALL, or MONROE, LOUISIANA EXPANSIBLE PIPE HOLDER Application filed May 25,

This invention relates to a device for holding the ends of pipes in alinement while being joined by welding, one of the objects being to provide an expansible holder for in-.

1-1 sertion into the pipe ends and for expansion so as to press firmly upon the inner surfaces of the pipes. 1

A further object is to provide a holder of this character which will act as a dam to prevent flow of molten metal into the pipes during the welding operation.

Another object is to provide a holding tool which is simple, durable, and efficient and can be handled readily.

WVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes 1 in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the .scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings: a

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through portions of two pipes alined by the tool constituting the present invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 22, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on line 38, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the jaws of the tool.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 designates arcuate jaws which, when assembled side to side, define a cylindri cal structure for insertion into the meeting end portions of pipes P and'P to be joined. The side edges of the jaws are rabbeted as shown at 3 so as to form lap joints when the jaws are assembled.

Formed alongthe center of the inner or. concave face of each jaw is a rib 4 and the inner faces 5 ofthese ribs are transversely concaved and inclined longitudinally so as to fit snugly upon the surface of a conical core or spreader 6. Stems 7 and 8 extend from the ends of the spreader 6, and are coaxial there- 10'and11 and receive guide screws 16 1931. Serial No. 539,960.

with, one stem, 8, being screw-threaded as shown. m.

The ends of jaws 1 are recessed as at 9 to provide seatsfor heads 10 and 11- which are preferably circular. Head 10 has a "central opening 12 in which stem 7 is supported and mounted to slide. Head 11 has a central boss 13 in which isan opening 14 threaded for engagement by stem I.

Short radial slots 15 are formed in heads extend from the ends of ribs 4. i In practice theconical spreader 6 is rotatedso as to be set back from head'll thereby toallow the'jaws 1 to collapse toward-the center of the tool. Saidtool is then placed in the-meeting end portions of pipes-P and "P" and the, spreader is fed longitudinally to expand the holder and press the jaws'l'tight- 1y against. the inner faces of the pipes. The pipes are thereafter welded in the usual manner and the jaws will act as a means for preventing molten metal from flowing into the pipes.

It is to be understood that the means for vadjusting the conical spreader longitudinally can be varied within the scope of the present invention and force canbe applied to the stem or stems in any suitable manner for the purpose of rotating the same.

What is claimed is:

1 A pipe holder including spaced heads, an annular series of arcuate jaws between the heads and supported thereby for unrestrained relative radial movement, inclined ribs converging inwardly from the centers of the aws and providingsegmental spaces between the ribs, said ribs having relatively narrow faces, a' longitudinally adjustable spreading core between the ribs and frictiona-lly engaging said faces, oppositely extend ing axial'stems on the'core engaging the heads for rotation and longitudinal movement and for supporting the s reader, one of the stems being in .screwreaded engagement with one of the heads to feed the '60 which 7 core longitudinally along the' bearing faces to expand or collapse the holder, the meeting edges of the jaws being rabbeted and in lapped relation, thereby-to maintain a sub- I stantially tight connection between the jaws V when in all working positions.

2. A tool for holding the meeting ends of pipes in alinement while being welded, inclined spaced heads having radial slots, arcuate jaws lapping the peripheries of the heads and normallvconcentric therewith, radial ribs converging from'the centers of the jaws and between the heads, said ribs having inclined, relatively narrow bear ing jaws, the ends of the ribs constitutin'g V abutments for the heads, means extending from the ends of the ribs and slidable in the slots in the heads for holding the jaws and heads assembled, said jaws and ribs" being mounted for unrestrained independent 'radial movement relative to the heads, a frusto-conical spreader between the heads and v slidably and rotatably engaging the bearing as myv own,

faces of theribs; oppositely extending axial stems projecting 'from the spreader and 1 movable longitudinally and rotatably within the-respective-heads, one of said stems being 7 in screw-threaded engagement with one of c the heads, the jaws having rabbeted longitudinal edges lapping toclose the spaces between the jaws at all timeswhilethe j aws are f in different working; positions, there belng v Segmental spaces between the ribs and the heads, said spreader being rotatable to feed the stems longitudinally toshift the ribs and jaws radially relative to the heads.

In testimonythat I claim the foregoingv tnre.

have vhereto afiixed my signa- FRED srovALn l 

